June 15, 2022
West Side Story
It was the last day of August and we were in Little Current heading south. Our Lasalle winter haul out was still over a month away.
May 27, 2022
Cowichan Bay—A Slow-Living Escape to Marine Heritage, Food and Local Artisanry
Cowichan Bay is a waterfront village with a row of shops, artisan products, marine supplies and a variety of places to eat. It also has a delightful Maritime Centre.
April 13, 2022
The Lady-like Atmosphere of Ladysmith
Instant towns have sprung up in the past, especially on the BC coast. In the late 1850s, Victoria grew overnight into a tent city when hordes of prospectors stopped by to provision for their quest to get rich in the Fraser goldfields.
February 28, 2022
Cruising the Rideau Canal
Following the War of 1812, a battle that Canada narrowly won against the United States, the boundaries of Upper Canada were held and the British army realized that the St. Lawrence River was no longer safe as a supply route.
January 19, 2022
Steeped in Canadian history and French culture: Quebec City as a port destination
If you are looking for an interesting destination for a weekend trip or longer, Quebec City will deliver. Located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, this Francophone city is a prime boating destination with unique boating conditions, a vibrant waterfront scene, and excellent food, drink and culture.
September 22, 2021
Destination Victoria, BC’s Capital City
We bobbed in the brisk winds while rounding the breakwater into Victoria Harbour, then lowered sail immediately. As the harbour is crisscrossed by full-sized and miniature ferries, pleasure craft and commercial vessels—the whole supplemented by a stream of arriving and departing seaplanes—sailing is strictly forbidden.
July 20, 2021
Boating In the Birthplace of Confederation
Over the course of four days in September 1864, representatives from Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Lower Canada (Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario) gathered in Charlottetown to discuss the idea of bringing these diverse colonies together and forming a country.
July 7, 2021
New Ottawa River destination opens
The new owners of L’Orignal Marina offer boaters a new destination. Located in a charming francophone village in Eastern Ontario, this joined marina and restaurant venue is the ambitious initiative of long-time entrepreneur André Chabot and biologist Alexandra Quester, both residents of L’Orignal.
June 8, 2021
Destinations: Victoria, BC’s Capital City
In the June edition of Canadian Yachting Marianne Scott takes us to a city she knows well, Victoria. Victoria Harbour is well protected from strong winds and Coast Salish people flourished in the area for several thousand years. In 1843, the Hudson’s Bay Co. set up a stockaded fort in the area near today’s Bastion Square with the goal of trading with the Indigenous people.
April 29, 2021
Ahoy by a Century!
Commemorating 100 (+1) years of through-navigation on the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada
March 24, 2021
TRIPPING The Niagara soars over the River on TVO
On Friday, April 2 at 7 pm ET on TVO and streaming anytime after that on tvo.org and the TVO YouTube channel, TVO presents the world broadcast and online premiere of TVO Original TRIPPING The Niagara. This is the second installment of the hugely popular and immersive Tripping series.
March 15, 2021
Salt Spring Island with Gourmet Food and Drink
Salt Spring Island, the largest among the Gulf Islands, has a certain mystique—much of it having to do with locally produced food. It started thousands of years ago when the Coast Salish First Nations used the Island as a summer camp, collecting wild foods while also processing the abundant sea food for winter sustenance.
March 5, 2021
Protecting North Channel Shoreline at Vidal Bay, Manitoulin Island
The North Channel is one of the most beautiful sailing destinations on the planet – known the world over for its spectacular scenery, its clear waters inviting you in for a cool dip, and its pristine shorelines boasting stunning jagged coastline and quiet coves. Following the southern border of the channel is Manitoulin Island – the largest freshwater island in the world.
February 9, 2021
Cruising: Creating Ontario’s largest protected area complex south of the Canadian Shield on Manitoulin
Located in Lake Huron, the internationally significant Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world. It supports some of the highest quality alvar habitat on the planet, interspersed within sand plain forests, wetlands, sand dunes, shoreline and the Niagara Escarpment.
December 21, 2020
Trent-Severn: The Great Canadian Waterway
Ontario’s best-kept secret, the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic site holds the key to boating bliss in the time of pandemic-era travel. An epic 386km long, this historic navigable network of gorgeous lakes and rivers invites you to plan an endless array of mini holidays from one Great Lake to another.
December 16, 2020
Raise Your Spirit(s) at Sidney’s Seaport Place
Sidney is a great destination for boaters. Two marinas provide access to provisions and many restaurants and shops. Another attraction, Victoria Distillers, is located next to Port Sidney Marina and offers informative tasting tours.
December 16, 2020
One of my favourite anchorages in all of BC is at Montague Harbour Marina (Bob Nicoll)
Located on the sunny south shore of the harbour, the Marina is on pilings over the water, offering annual, winter and guest moorage, a brand new fuel station with zero-ethanol gas and diesel, Wi-Fi and garbage/recycling drop-off is included overnight moorage, an incredibly well-stocked market and general store, ice cream parlour, coffee shop, 15 and 30amp power…
December 2, 2020
British Columbia Is Better on a Boat
With the travel bug inside each of us, we must do what is necessary to keep other bugs out by staying within our region and limiting our long-distance travel. Chartering with us at Nanaimo Yacht Charters & Sailing School may very well be the adventure you have been searching for to explore BC and navigate this unprecedented situation safely.
November 4, 2020
If you’ve ever considered living aboard your boat then The Greater Vancouver Floating Home Co-op is one option to consider.
Spruce Harbour Marina is owned and operated by the Greater Vancouver Floating Home Co-op (GVFHC) as a cooperative liveaboard marina for co-op members. The GVFHC was formed in 1974 to find a legitimate way for people to live on their boats in the heart of the city.
October 21, 2020
Pierre’s at Echo Bay Lodge & Marina
For those boaters wanting to enjoy the majesty of the Broughton as you tour around the thousands of bays and coves that hold all kinds of hidden gems in the form of wildlife, marine life, fresh coastal air, and miles and miles of magnificent scenery, Pierre’s at Echo Bay Lodge & Marina, just has to be included in your plans.
October 14, 2020
Chemainus—the Little Town That Did
The approach to the Chemainus Municipal Dock from Stuart Channel is straightforward and is protected from all but strong northerly winds. The only obstacle may be some large log booms often anchored in the harbour. The Dock is immediately south of the B.C. ferry terminal; the ferry runs to Thetis- and Penelakut Islands.
September 22, 2020
Moutcha Bay Resort and Marina
As summer comes to an end the planning begins for next year’s adventure on the water and Moutcha Bay Resort is high on the bucket list. You can bring your own boat to the Resort. They offer moorage at the fishing resort. Complementary boat launch is provided to registered guests at Moutcha Bay Resort and you can take advantage of their full-service marina with 70 boat slips.
June 29, 2020
Cruising Destinations – From Montreal fun to Lake Champlain serenity
Protected waters, great marinas, historical sites and superb scenery make for a fine mix of adventure and no-stress navigation between Montreal to the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain.
June 29, 2020
The Rideau: Living the Past today
History: right after gym and just before chemistry class. Fifty minutes of naming the prime ministers by date and looking out the window. Who knew it was actually interesting.
June 29, 2020
Canadian Cruising – There’s No Place Like Home!
Canadians are blessed in many ways and especially when it comes to boating. We enjoy some the world’s most beautiful cruising waters and many places are as sheltered as they are scenic.
June 23, 2020
Homfray Lodge is a welcome respite on your yachting adventure in Desolation Sound
There are new owners and of course we are still dealing with Covid 19 so check in for current updates at their website.
June 23, 2020
Safe anchorages in Desolation Sound
Desolation Sound is a deep-water sound located at the northern end of the Salish Sea and the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. Boasting some of the warmest waters on Pacific coast as well as pristine wilderness rainforest with spectacular fjords, towering mountains and abundant marine life.
June 10, 2020
Destinations: Glendale Cove, Knight Inlet
If you’re planning to cruise the inside Coast between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, then make sure you put Glendale Cove and Knight Inlet on your itinerary.
May 26, 2020
2020 Erie Canal Season Schedule
On May 19, the New York State Canal Corporation today announced an updated opening schedule for the 524-mile Canal system based on maintenance and construction projects resuming in the Capital, Mohawk Valley, Central NY, Finger Lakes, and Western NY regions under the “NY Forward Reopening” plan.
April 7, 2020
TVO Original documentary TRIPPING The Rideau Canal
If you have four hours to enjoy a fine tour of one of Canada’s most interesting waterways (let’s face it, these days we can all find four hours!) you will love this doc that is boat ride looking at the Rideau as you might yourself.
December 16, 2019
Cruising BC’s Wild—and Working—Coast on a Landing Craft
In early August, in Menzies Bay just north of Campbell River, my husband David and I joined 10 other passengers walking up the ramp and through the Aurora Explorer’s cargo area. Our experience with landing crafts had been confined to watching movies with troops charging ashore on the Normandy beaches.
November 5, 2019
Looking for a boating adventure? set your course to Ucluelet
On the west coast of Vancouver Island Ucluelet is straddled between the famous Pacific Rim and the iconic Broken Islands.
October 22, 2019
West Coast boaters chart course to Victoria Harbour’s newest restaurant, café and bar.
Boom & Batten Restaurant is suspended over the water adjacent to the Songhees Walkway and anchors the Victoria International Marina. The marina is home port to super yachts up to 165ft. The building’s exterior architecture looks with the crest of a wave.
October 1, 2019
Heritage and hip: Kingston as a port destination
Cruise into the city of Kingston, Ontario, and it will quickly become clear that this city and surrounding waterways have something special. Built around the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Kingston is the place to go if you love to explore new waterways, fantastic views, and exceptional boating opportunities.
September 9, 2019
Port Severn’s historic Lock 45 presents an idyllic boating experience
As the final link between Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay, Port Severn’s Lock 45 is the gateway to the beautiful Trent-Severn Waterway. The first and smallest lock to be constructed on the Severn portion, Lock 45 is entrenched in Canadian History and is worth the trip in itself.
August 21, 2019
Sail into the lights, Salish Sea Vancouver to Howe Sound
Vancouver is ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world. You can explore much of the cityscape by water and moor at several marinas. The city offers the marine visitor a panoply of fine dining, waterside pubs, shopping and cultural amenities.
July 24, 2019
Provincial Boat Havens
Provincial Boat Havens are those special places to drop anchor in British Columbia’s West Coast and around Vancouver Island.